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Shulman Steps Down from ADL

BOSTON — Derrek Shulman, New England regional director for the ADL, has stepped down after four-and-a-half years of service.

Michael Sheetz, chairman of the ADL New England Board, praised Shulman’s legacy with the agency.

"He brought tremendous energy, creativity and dedication, 24/7, to ADL. Derrek leaves ADL stronger than when he came to the office, in many respects. Thanks in large part to Derrek’s efforts, ADL had the strongest fundraising year in 2012 in many years," Sheetz said.

In his letter to the board of directors, Shulman highlighted his accomplishments and noted his desire to spend more time with his young family. Those accomplishments include:  More than doubling the annual campaign in less than five years to $4.43 million, advancing from the fifth to the second largest of ADL’s 28 regions.

 Adding more than 25 mem bers to the board since 2008 to include prominent community members from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Central Massachusetts. The board’s geographic diversity helped ADL receive and respond to more incidents of anti-Semitism and hate, and to increase its presence throughout New England.

 More than 200 interviews

on local and national television, radio, and print media that refocused the public on ADL’s mission, following an intensely controversial period in 2007.

 The production, in 2011,

of "The New Anti-Semitism," featuring Elie Wiesel at Faneuil Hall, drawing 1,000 people and media attention to an issue that strikes to the core of ADL.

 Building a statewide coali tion in support of legislation that became a groundbreaking antibullying law in Massachusetts.

 The creation in 2009 of

the Latino-Jewish Roundtable, which develops allies and understanding between different peoples.

 Provided help for real

people in their hour of need, including a rabbi in Hyannis whose synagogue was vandalized, the father of the girl slain in Brockton because of her skin color and the mother in Lynn whose son was severely beaten because he is an immigrant.

Shulman is succeeded by Robert Trestan, who previously served as the eastern states civil rights counsel.

"ADL is fortunate to have Robert Trestan, a very knowledgeable and gifted civil rights professional. The future is very bright for ADL in New England as we embark on a wide search for a permanent successor to Derrek," Sheetz said.